History of Oneida County, New York : with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 131

Author: Durant, Samuel W
Publication date: 1878
Publisher: Philadelphia : Everts & Fariss
Number of Pages: 920

USA > New York > Oneida County > History of Oneida County, New York : with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 131

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The members of his family raised a cenotaph in the Episcopal Church, with the inscription :

"Sacred to the memory of JEDEDIAH SANGER; born Feb. 29, 1751, died June 6, 1829. 'Ha, being dead, yet speaketh.'"

Judge Sanger was the possessor of a master-spirit of energy and decision, and a man of strict integrity. The town of his adoption owed everything to his efforts, and his loss, both as a genial friend and citizen and a business man, was much deplored. In politics he belonged to the school known at that time as Federals.

Another of the very early settlers of this town, and a man prominent in civil and military affairs, was General Oliver Collins, who, it is believed, located in 1789, on a farm a short distance from Middle Settlement, on the Whitesboro' Road, where he had his residence through the remainder of his life. He was a native of Connecticut, and served in the line of that State as a sergeant during the Revolutionary war. Soon after settling in this town he was commissioned captain of the Whitestown militia company, and rose thereafter step by step to the rank of brigadier-general. " While holding this commission the war of 1812 was declared, and in this war also he ren- dered valuable services to his country, having been, in 1814, commandant of that most important military post, Sacket's

" Must have been 1752 to be a leap-year.

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HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY, NEW YORK.

Harbor .* Here his position was a most trying one. The British in the latter part of this year had the naval as- cendeney on Lake Ontario," and in the absence of General Brown with the main body of the army on the Niagara frontier, the large amount of stores belonging to the gov- ernment at Sacket's Harbor were without a sufficient force for their protection. After consultation with Colonel Mitchell, General Collins called out the militia of Herki- mer, Oneida, Jefferson, and Lewis Counties, en masse. This force amounted to about 2900 men, of whom 2500 were from Oneida and Herkimer Counties. General Col- lins proceeded with his force to the Harbor, where they quartered very uncomfortably, and, owing to almost constant ruin, the streets of the village were nearly impassable. To add to these inconveniences, disease made its appear- ance among them, and was attended with great mortality. Many deserted, and after General Collins' term of office at the Harbor had expired he returned to Oneida County, and ordered a court-martial for the trial of the deserters. This court was held in Utica, at the public-house of Major John Bellinger, afterwards known as the " New England House," and the deserting members of the militia were sentenced to have all their back-pay stopped and be drummed out of camp as far as Deerfield Corners, to the tune of the " Rogue's March," wearing their coats wrong- side out.

Some threats were made that the citizens of Utica never would suffer the sentence to be carried out, but General Collins applied to the commander of a company of regulars then stationed in Utica, and was granted the use of their music and a corporal's guard of sixteen meu to aid him in performing his duty. Although a considerable crowd had collected with the intention of interfering, they did not endeavor to disturb the proceedings when General Collins ordered the guard to load with ball cartridges and said to the assemblage, " If you interfere in this business, gentlemen, it is at your peril, for I will cause more bullet- holes to be made through your bodies than there are button- holes in your coats," and it is perhaps needless to add that the sentence was executed to the letter.

General Collins retired to private life upon the close of the war, and died on his farm Aug. 14, 1838, at the age of seventy-six years. He was four times married. In politics he was a strict Democrat.

John French came to this town from the State of New Hampshire about the year 1792, and settled on the farm now owned by his son, John French, who was born on the place in 1797. The latter has in his possession a lieu- tenant's commission issued to his father by Governor George Clinton. The elder Mr. French died February 25, 1839, at the age of seventy-three years.

Nathan Seward, who settled about the same time, located on the farm adjoining Mr. French's on the east. He be-

came interested afterwards in the " Capron Cotton-Factory," north of New Hartford village.

Among those who settled west of the village were Ash- bel Beach, Amos Ives, Solomon Blodget, Salmon Butler, Joel Blair (the last three at what is known as " Middle Settlement"), Agift Hill (who located on the farm owned for many years by Oliver Sandford, Esq.), - Wyman, and Stephen Bushnell. On the road leading from Middle Settlement to Whitesboro' was Joseph Jennings. East of the village of New Hartford were Messrs. Higbee, Seward, and French, already mentioned. To the south of the village the settlers were more numerous. Eli Butler, a resident of Middletown, Coun.,-the same place from whence came Hugh White, the first permanent settler in the county,-arrived in what is now New Hartford in 1789, and settled on the farm at present owned by his grandson, Morgan Butler, the house of the latter being just within the corporate limits of the village. Mr. Butler had been to this region in the year 1785, and purchased farms for three of his sons,-John and Sylvester in Paris, and Ashbel in New Hartford. He had a family of four sons and seven daughters, and the daughters and one son, Eli, Jr. (father of Morgan Butler), accompanied him here in 1789. Eli was his youngest son, and remained on the farm settled by his father in New Hartford until his death. This farm included three hundred acres.

Captain David Risley, a Revolutionary veteran, with his brother, Allen Risley, and Truman and Webster Kellogg, settled very early south of New Hartford village and west of what is now Washington Mills. They came together, and built a small shanty on what is now the lawn in front of the residence of J. S. Foster, who married a daughter of Captain Risley. The nearest or best mill being twenty or thirty miles away, in Herkimer County, it was necessary either to carry grain on their backs or on horseback, and make a trip of two days in order to get it ground. Finally they devised a plan for doiog their own grinding. A large, sound maple-tree was cut down, the stump "squared off," a bowlder heated and raised with the aid of a couple of poles placed beneath it to the top of the stump, and the operation repeated until a large, smooth hole was burned; then, after scraping away the charcoal, they bent an iron-wood sapling, trimmed its top away, and, with a rope made of elm-bark, fastened to it a heavy wooden pestle, and the mill was ready for use. The ingenuity o'' the settlers was never at a loss for devising anything which could be made with the conveniences at hand.

Soon after his settlement Captain David Risley built and opened on his place a small store, which stood in the yard in front of the present site of the residence of James S. Foster. The structure was of logs, and he also built a log tavern, which was much frequented by travelers between Utica and the southern part of the State. A large frame store-building was afterwards erected a few steps north of the old log edifice, and " Captain Risley's store" became an important institution of that day. It was finally removed to Washington Mills, or " Checkerville," and is now used as a dwelling at that place by George Long.

When the territory now comprised in the county of Chau- tauqua began to be settled, a branch of the Risley family

* Jones' Oncida. This statement is incorrect, as the commanding officer at Sacket's Harbor when General Collins called out the militia of his division was Colonel Mitchell, of the regular service, with a small body of artillery and two battalions of infantry. The latter were detachments from the 13th and 45th Regiments, United States troops. A volunteer officer would not displace a colonel in the regular army.

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HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY, NEW YORK.

emigrated thither, and one of its members, Hon. Elijah Risley, was afterwards elected sheriff of the county, and subsequently member of Congress .*

Among others who located south of the village of New Hartford were two families named Olmstead, and Messrs. Seymour, Hurlburt, Kilborn, and Montaguc. Henry Black- stone, from the State of Connecticut, emigrated to this town previous to the organization of the county of Oneida, and settled on the farm now owned by his son, Alfred Black- stone, east of Washington Mills. He made his first trip here, in company with Zenas Gibbs and Ashbel Tyler, with an ox-team. He made his permanent settlement afterwards, probably in the spring of 1792. Mr. Gibbs' old farm is now owned by his grandson, Gould G. Morton.

Nehemiah Eosworth came to the town in the fall of 1791, and the next spring (1792) settled on a portion of the 500 acre lot on which Zenas Gibbs and Mr. Blackstone had lo- cated. He was from Canterbury, Connecticut. The pres- ent owner of the old farm (April, 1878) is Henry Wads- worth. Mr. Ensworth's brother, Elihu Ensworth, came with him, and a son of the latter, Ezra Ensworth, owns the old Ashbel Tyler farm.

William Huggins (or Hugins), who arrived at the same time, helped Zenas Gibbs to build a small shanty, which they covered with elm-bark, and lived in it with their fami- lies for two years. From Albany these parties came up the river on a flat-boat, pushing slowly along with the aid of long poles, and they were the first settlers in the southeast portion of what is now the town of New Hartford.

On the farm of Zenas Gibbs iron ore was discovered acci- dentally in dirt thrown out of a ditch by the horn of an ox. Interest was awakened and parties began prospecting, with good results. Furnaces in Paris, Litchfield, and Franklin used ore from the bed discovered here, and large quantities have been taken out. A small amount is still procured, and is shipped principally to Poughkeepsie.

The first white child born in New Hartford was Dr. Uriel H. Kellogg, who died about 1845-46. The town of New Hartford includes portions of Cosby's Manor, Sada- queda Patent, Coxe's Patent, and Bayard's Pateut, the sec- ond mentioned having the least area.

CIVIL ORGANIZATION.

By an act already mentioned the town of New Hartford was formed, and the first town-meeting was held April 24, 1827, at the house of King Strong. Jonathan Richardson and Seth Birge, actiog magistrates io said town, presided, and the following officers were elected, viz. : Supervisor, Eli Savage; Town Clerk, Samuel Dakin ; Assessors, Ashbel Mallory, Stephen Fitch, Thomas R. Palmer ; Commissioner of Highways, Abel Mosher, Collings Locke, Truman Kel- logg ; Overseers of the Poor, Joshua Palmer, Edward Blackstone; Collector, Isaac G. Stratton ; Commissioners of Common Schools, Daniel W. Randall, Charles Babcock, Warner Wadsworth; Inspectors of Schools, Proctor C. Samson, Zedekiah Sanger, James McElroy.

The number of persons taxed in the town in the year 1827 was 468.

The Supervisors of this towo from 1828 to 1877, inclu- sive, have been the following-named persons: 1828-30, Jesse Shepherd ; 1831, Ashbel Mallory ; 1832-35, Oliver Prescott, Jr .; 1836-40, Frederick Kellogg; 1841-42, James Brown; 1843-45, Josiah S. Kellogg; 1846-47, Oliver Prescott ; 1848-50, John French ; 1851-52, James Rees ; 1853, Hiram Shays ; 1854-55, Gould G. Nortoo ; 1856-57, John French; 1858, William Huxford ; 1859-61, John B. Winship; 1862-64, George W. Chadwick ; 1865- 68, James Armstrong; 1869-70, Henry S. Rogers; 1871, Oliver R. Babcock ; 1872, Joseph P. Richardson ; 1873, John B. Winship; 1874, Oliver R. Babcock ; 1875, Tim- othy W. Blackstone; 1876, Porter S. Huntley ; 1877, John C. Roby.

The remaining town officers elected for 1877 were : Town Clerk, Arthur J. Bullock ; Justice of the Peace, Charles E. Morse ; Assessor, John W. Seaton ; Commissioner of Highways, Joseph E. Graham ; Collector, Alric E. Bowen ; Overseers of the Poor, James H. Peck, John W. Roberts ; Town Auditors, Alexander Finch, S. Newton Warriner, Acars A. Barnes ; Inspectors of Election, District No. 1, Orville P. Risley, William H. Cloher, Jr., Albert G. Hughs; District No. 2, George S. Barnes, David G. Douglass, Peter G. Graves, Jr. ; District No. 3, Charles A. Miller, Charles W. Wilson, Malcolm Baine.

New Hartford, like every town during its earlier settle- ment, was the scene of various crimes, principal among which was horse-stealing. This was after the Erie Canal was completed, and better facilities were offered for thieves and vagabonds of all descriptions to spread over the country and ply their nefarious calling. In 1830 the inhabitants of New Hartford became aroused to the necessity of prompt action in order to protect their property, and the following notice appeared in the papers :

" NOTICE.

" All persons are desired to take notice that a society has been duly organized in New Hartford for the purpose of detecting horse-thieves. The treasury of the society is supplied with ample funds, and young, active men are appointed pursners, who are ready to start, on any emergency, to recover the stolen property, and bring the thieves to the bar of justice.

" Dated NEW HARTFORD, June 8, 1830."

How many perpetrators of crime were brought to justice by these " vigilantes" we are unable to state, but it is prob- able that mercy was not a portion of the punishment the culprits received.

SCIIOOLS.

Regarding the early schools of the town we have been unable to procure much information. It is, however, very probable that the first school was taught at the village of New Hartford, where the first settlers located.

The schools at present are in a flourishing condition, the number of school-children being about 1500. Aside from the district schools, there are in the village of New Hart- ford two private schools. The Home School for Young Ladies was established in the summer of 1876, by the Misses Toll and Mrs. Foster (sisters), formerly of Verona. In February, 1878, there were in attendance about fifteen boarding and twenty day pupils. Instructions are given in music, the languages, etc. Mrs. James' Boarding School

# Jones' Annals.

RESIDENCE OF GEO. HATFIELD, NEW HARTFORD, N. Y.

RESIDENCE OF MORGAN BUTLER, NEW HARTFORD, ONEIDA CO, N.Y.

LITH BY L. H.EVENTS, PHII . P-

491

HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY, NEW YORK.

was established about 1863, and may be classed as a nursery school, or a school for small children left by their parents while abroad. The attendance is small. Mrs. James established this school subsequent to the death of her husband.

RELIGIOUS SOCIETIES.

Presbyterian Church, New Hartford .- At a meeting held in a barn belonging to Colonel Jedediah Sanger, in the village of New Hartford, this society was organized by Rev. Jonathan Edwards, Ang. 27, 1791, with thirteen members. It was organized as a Congregational Church, and so remained until 1802, since which time its discipline has been in strict accordance with the standards of the Presbyterian Church. At the original meeting for organization, Rev. John Ely was moderator and Ashbel Beach clerk. The first trus- tees, elected June 21, 1791 (1792 ?), were Jedediah Sanger, Esq., Needham Maynard, Esq:, Uriah Seymour, first class ; Captain James Steel, Lieutenant William Stone, Jesse Kellogg, second class; Captain John Tillotson, Captain Joseph Jennings, Captain Nathan Seward, third class.

At a society-meeting held in Colonel Sanger's barn, Oct. 30, 1791, it was-

" Voted, Ist, to give Mr. Bradley a call; 2d, to give Mr. Bradley 10 acres of land near Colonel Sanger's old log house as a settlement ; and provided that said 10 acres does not amount to the full value of 200 dollars, the full sum of two hundred dollars io produce in addi- tion to his settlement; 3d, that said society will give Mr. Bradley, pro- vided he will settle with us as a preacher of the gospel, one hundred and sixty dollars salary for the year ensuing, viz. : 60 dollars in cash and the remainder iu produce; 4th, chose Captain Oliver Collins, Major Na- than Seward, Mr. Uriah Seymour, and Captain Nedom (Needham) Maynard a committee to bargain with Mr. Bradley ; then adjourned to Thursday, the 3.1 of November next."

It appears that Mr. Bradley did not choose to " make a bargain" on these terms, for at the next meeting of the society it is recorded-

" Ist, That said society will give Mr. Bradley two hundred dollars in cash as a settlement, and one hundred pounds current money of the State of New York annually as a salary, -one-third io cash, the re- maioder io prodoce at the cash priec, and thirty chords of good fire- woud aconally, so long as he continues to be our minister; accepted."

Mareh 5, 1792, the trustees and Jedediah Sanger " cove- nanted and agreed as follows, viz. : " The Trustees agree to let out the building of the meeting-house in the first re- ligions society in Whitestown to said Sanger as follows, viz. : The said Sanger to frame and finish the outside, and lay the under-floor and underpinning of said house, for the sum of seven hundred pounds,-one hundred pounds to be paid in cash by the first day of October next, the residue, after deducting the amount of the sales of timber, stone, and ma- terials for the covering and floor, as let out at vendue, to be paid on the first day of January next, in produce, at the market price in said society; the society to be at the ex- pense of raising said house in every respect except the liquor and master workman ; the work to be completed as soon as the stuff will admit of."

Thus were the preliminary steps taken for the erection of the first church edifiee in the State west of Herkimer. It was mostly erected in 1793, though it was not finished nor a spire added until 1796. Judge Sanger gave the lot on which it was built, and also gave a lot in Sangerfield,

for the benefit of the church. The frame is yet standing, aud has in it the heavy wrought nails originally used. In 1871-72, about $14,000 were expended for repairs and additions, and the old church, which had outlived many of its juniors in the county, was metamorphosed into the very neat structure which now greets the eye.

The first pastor, Rev. Dan Bradley, who was ordained in February, 1792, was dismissed in December, 1794, and on the 6th of September, 1795, removed to Marcellus, Onon- daga County, where he became one of the most skillful and scientific farmers in that county. He did not again preachi the gospel. He was appointed a county judge in 1801, and first judge in 1808. In 1819 he was chosen president of the first agricultural society of Onondaga County.

The second pastor was Rev. Joshna Johnson, who was installed Oct. 26, 1795. According to the lectures of Wil- liam Traey, and Clark's " History of Onondaga County," an ordination ball was held by the young people in honcr of the occasion. Mr. Johnson was dismissed Dec. 15, 1800. Among his successors were Revs. Samuel F. Snowden, six years ; Noah Coe, over twenty years ; Moses C. Searle, ten years ; and E. H. Payson. The present pastor is Rev. I. N. Terry. The membership on the 25th of February, 1878, was 217. A Sabbath-school is sustained, and had at the above date a membership of 192. Its Superintend- ent is Lewis T. Sherrill. It possesses a library of about 350 volumes.

St. Stephen's Church ( Episcopal), New Hartford .- This society was organized Sept. 1, 1824. Judge Sanger also gave a lot for a church to this denomination, and in his will left an annuity of $250 to aid in the support of a clergyman. The present frame church was ereeted in 1825. The first reetor was Rev. Amos C. Treadway, in 1825, and his successors have been Revs. Parker Adams, John Woart, Ulysses M. Whiceler, Charles W. Bradley, Samuel C. Davis, Henry L. Storrs, Hobart Williams, William E. Eigenbrodt, Stephen H. Battin, Charles H. Gardiner, Thomas N. Bene- dict, Williani A. Fiske, William A. Matson, Charles W. Hayes, Moses L. Kern, Charles G. Gilliat, William Baker, William S. Hayward, D'Estaing Jennings, David H. Love- joy, M.D., and the present rector, Rev. J. Winslow. The number of communicants in February, 1878, was something over 100. The Superintendent of the Sabbath-school is Porter S. Huntley.

Friends' Meeting-House, New Hartford .- This building was erected in 1820, through the efforts of Rev. Peleg Gifford, a noted Quaker minister, who was a preacher for more than forty years, -twenty years at New Hartford. He came, probably from Western Rhode Island, at an early day, and owned a farm two miles southeast of New Hart- ford. He surveyed the old turnpike between this village and Utica. At his death he left two bushels of survey papers. The number of Friends in this neighborhood was formerly fifty, but at present there are only six. They keep up weekly meetings. Mr. Gifford was an extempora- neous preacher, and very earnest. He held services often in the Black River country. He was a man much esteemed in Oneida County.

Universalist Society, New Hartford .- The third society of this denomination in the State of New York was organ-

492

HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY, NEW YORK.

ized at New Hartford. The two older societies were one in the city of New York, organized by Rev. Edward Mitchell, in 1797, and the other in Hartwick, Otsego Co., in 1803. Rev. Nathaniel Stacy introduced the doctrine into New Hartford in 1805, and in December of that year the " Universalist Society of Whitestown" was formed. Among its members was Judge White, the pioneer of Whitestown. In 1815 a small church was built, and ocen- pied by the society till subsequent to 1850, when it was used by the Baptists. The building was finally burned, and the society has become a reminiscence of the past.

Baptist Church, New Hartford .- A Baptist Church was organized here previous to 1840, as a branch of the church at Whitesboro', but was dissolved in 1844. Meetings were afterwards held occasionally in the factory of James Reed, a former licentiate, and the old Universalist Church was also used. Finally, the site of the present church was pur- chased by Captain Mason, Deacon Ward, and Mr. Palmer, and the church erected at a cost of $2500. It was dedi- cated in August, 1856. In February, 1878, the church was supplied from Madison University. The reorganization of the society took place April 28, 1855, since which time . there have been but two settled pastors. These were Elders William A. Wells and Charles Graves. The present mem- bership is about 70. A Sabbath-school with about 40 scholars is sustained. Deacon Thomas B. Cloyes is Super- intendent.

Methodist Episcopal Church, New Hartford .- This so- ciety was organized previous to 1850. Among its early pastors was Rev. Richard Cooke, who was afterwards re- appointed to the charge. The present church is the second one built by the society, and is a very neat and substantial frame edifice, crected within the past few years. The pres- ent pastor is Rev. E. A. Tuttle ; membership 130; excellent Sabbath-school sustained, with Florus Cooke as Superintend- ent. The school has a library of 130 volumes ; also a fine cabinet-organ.

Free- Will Baptist Church, Washington Mills .- In 1860, Elder G. H. Ball, of Buffalo, organized this society, with 25 members. Elder Webber held meetings for about three months in the fall of 1859. The present church was built for a union church, on land deeded by Frederick Hol- lister ; but that society never prospered, and the Baptists purchased the building and removed it to its present locality. The pastor is Elder John M. Langworthy, who acts as a sup- ply. His wife speaks here when her husband is prevented from coming by appointments elsewhere. The membership is small. J. T. Nelson is Superintendent of the Sabbath- school.

Close- Communion Baptist Church, Washington Mills .- This was organized under Elder James Huckstable, a former member of the Free Church, which he left on account of difference of opinion and the formation of a liberal society, of which he became the leader. After his departure,-in the winter of 1877-78,-it was changed to a Close-Com- mnnion Baptist Church. The membership is not large.

VILLAGE OF NEW HARTFORD.

The village was incorporated in 1870, under the pro- visions of the general act for the incorporation of villages

passed in that year by the Assembly. At the election, on the question of incorporation the vote stood 32 to 9 in favor. The territory included in the corporate limits originally was described as follows :

" Beginning at the northwest corner of a lot of land lately oeenpied by Widow Manchester, in the centre of Genesee Street, 53 lioks from an elm-tree standing on the south side of the street, and in the west line of said lot, and running thence along the said west line sonth 25 degrees, 20 minutes east, 20 chains 30 links to a stump and stones ; thence south 31 degrees west, 65 chains aod 50 links, to the northwest corner of Morgan Butler's barn ; thence north 42 degrees 40 minutes west, 37 chains, to a point 19 links from the southwest corner of John L. Case's barn ; thence north 33 degrees 20 minutes west, 39 chains and 60 links, to a point 39 links from the northwest corner of John B. Winship's barn ; thence north 15 degrees cast, 15 chains and 40 links, to a point 33 links from the northwest corner of Lewis Sher- rill's barn ; thence north 81 degrees cast, 63 chains and 50 links, to where it intersects a continuation of the first-mentioned line ; thence along said line 12 ehains and 2 links to the place of beginning, con- taining an area of 405.66 aeres."

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History of Oneida County, New York : with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 131

Author: Durant, Samuel W Publication date: 1878 Publisher: Philadelphia : Everts & Fariss Number of Pages: 920

Author: Durant, Samuel W
Publication date: 1878
Publisher: Philadelphia : Everts & Fariss
Number of Pages: 920